Safe Bulkers has appointed a ship finance veteran and the daughter of its chief executive to an expanded board.
The New York-listed bulker owner said the new directors are Kristin Holth — the former DNB Bank global head of ocean industries — and Polys Hajioannou’s daughter Marina.
In addition to expanding the Greece and Cyprus-headquartered company’s board to nine members, the move leads to a change in its gender make-up, with the new directors joining what had been an all-male panel.
Holth is a well-known figure in shipping. She spent nearly 13 years at DNB Bank, starting in New York before rising to head its global operations in maritime, energy and seafood in Oslo.
Now, she is a boardroom regular, serving as non-executive director for driller Noble Corp, LNG carrier owner GasLog, commercial operator Maersk Tankers, technology company HitecVision and financial player Asset Buyout Partners.
“Ms Holth has significant experience in capital markets and funding,” Safe Bulkers said.
She will serve as an independent director.
Marina Hajioannou comes from within Safe Bulkers, where she has worked in chartering and operations.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she was a student at University of the Arts London between 2017 and 2020.
Safe Bulkers said she holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the university, as well as a certificate in shipping from the Hellenic Management Centre, the Greek branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
The board approved the changes after a recommendation from Safe Bulkers’ corporate governance, nominating and compensation committee.
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